I just cut my finger today, and cut it deep, like there was stuff hanging out of it. It is my left index, and I was wondering if anyone had some good advice for how to continue climbing without huring it any worse. Right now, the whole finger is wrapped up in gauze, and i think it is still bleeding. I did go to the emergency room, and they said I didn't need stitches.

I would let it rest, you risk injuring yourself more and end up away from climbing longer. Now if you can't resist (I really think you should) use newskin, it is basically crazy glue for the skin, it bonds cuts and protects from further ripping or tearing on the wound. I know mountain bikers use it a lot to stop bleeding on large cuts while biking. I don't think it's too safe, just a personal opinion.

This has happened to me before when I used to be a cook. Lay off of it for a little while. Let it heal. Then use tape when it feels better. If you have to climb do easy stuff and try not to use that finger. Or put enough tape to imobolize it and use the other fingers to climb with. I know it sucks bad! But it will heal faster if you don't mess with it! I have used new skin and it is not good to get it in deep cuts.

But seriously I have done the same sort of thing when I used to do wood work I drilled a 1/4 inch hole through the same finger and was at the crags a week later. Keep in mind I have a high pain tollerance and kept the injury well wrapped and protected. I was not concerned with hurting it as it was already hurt but I was concerned with INFECTIONS. Keep that in mind and you should be fine

I've had plenty of finger gashes when being ripped of tough boulder problems. If it is a deep cut, try taping it together with another finger. You might look like penguin-man, but heh, it worked for me. And this way your gashed finger won't take all the stress when you need to pull on it.

try climbing tape, you know, the stuff you wrap your hands with when youre climbing cracks? your finger is less mobile, but it satisfies your need to climb. use this as an opportunity to improve your pain tolerance, it comes in handy when your hands feel like youve run them through a food processor!

Rest, but if you really need (want) to climb, find some fake stiches (I think they're called monkey strips) and attatch them, and wrap up the finger making incisions in the gauze around wherever joints are. If you want to stop the bleeding, use ice and compression, or a blood expander (I don't think you'd be able to get your hands on this, but just in case you can). But most of all, know when to stop, otherwise you might cause an infection in the joint and in the bone, which is not something you want.

Super Glue,you think im kidding. Well im not my freind. Just use a little to close the cut up. It will keep it closed and kinda form a extra layer of skin. The super glue will come off soon, but it will let you climb for they day. Trust me it works...

lay off it for a bit, keep it very very clean, especially if it is still bleeding/weeping. I would keep it wrapped snugly (not tightly, you dont want to restrict bloodflow to the tissue) in guaze, using an antiseptic easy to apply to a deep wound such as neosporin or polysporin. After allowing sufficient time to pass to assure that the wound seals (in the case of a slice-wound like can be caused by very sharp rock), expose it to air to promote faster healing. Be careful not to re-open the injury. If it is a grating wound with a scab, soak the scab in a solution of clean water and epsom salt twice daily to soak the scabs off. This will promote faster healing as well.

i just did this to myself this monday but not as bad and i ended up taping the finger and putting climb on on the wound and when i climbed i didnt use that finger haha...it made the outside part of my left hand stronger

i just did this to myself this monday but not as bad and i ended up taping the finger and putting climb on on the wound and when i climbed i didnt use that finger haha...it made the outside part of my left hand stronger

impressive resurection of an eight-year old thread. I wonder if the dude ever climbed again.

Lol @ not climbing cause of a cut finger...I whacked my fingernail off at work and split my thumb in half in the same day...both with a hammer...taped it up and climbed with no worries...suck it up ladies